7 Underrated Sci-Fi Books You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
- Tom Odlin
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
There’s no shortage of sci-fi book lists online—but most of them include the same titles over and over. (Dune, Neuromancer, The Left Hand of Darkness, rinse and repeat.) Great books, sure—but what about the quiet masterpieces that slipped through the cracks?
The ones with strange premises, unforgettable worlds, or a single idea that keeps you thinking long after you close the book?
This is a list for the explorers—the readers who want something a little different.
Here are seven underrated sci-fi books that deserve far more attention than they’ve had.
The Flying Eyes is a classic science fiction novel that combines suspense and horror elements. The story revolves around mysterious entities—giant floating eyes—that hypnotize and abduct humans, leading to widespread panic.
A group of scientists and friends must unravel the mystery behind these beings and find a way to stop them before it’s too late. This novel offers a thrilling blend of pulp-era sci-fi and psychological tension.
Arthur Porges is celebrated for his concise and thought-provoking storytelling. This collection includes “The Ruum,” a tale about a relentless alien machine designed to collect specimens and other stories that explore human nature, technology, and the unknown.
Porges’ work is a testament to the power of short-form science fiction.
Renowned Polish author Stanislaw Lem presents a gripping narrative about an exploration spaceship, The Invincible, which lands on a mysterious planet to investigate the disappearance of its sister ship.
The crew encounters a self-replicating, autonomous robotic species, leading to profound questions about evolution, artificial intelligence, and human insignificance. Lem’s novel is both intellectually stimulating and eerily prescient.
In a future where immortality is achieved through advanced technology, a group of rebels led by exiled royalty ventures into space to establish a new society.
Lost in Transmission delves into themes of identity, societal stagnation, and the challenges of pioneering new frontiers. McCarthy’s narrative is both adventurous and thought-provoking.
Set against the backdrop of a decaying society, this novel follows Ryan, who escapes a dystopian Earth aboard a spaceship headed for a new world.
Alone among passengers in suspended animation, Ryan grapples with isolation, madness, and the haunting memories of the world he left behind. Moorcock’s work is a chilling exploration of the human psyche under extreme conditions.
This science fiction adventure follows Aidan Carson, a retiring soldier recruited for a mission to find a missing inventor who developed faster-than-light travel.
The journey takes Carson and his team to alien worlds fraught with danger as they confront hostile environments and societies. Lizzi crafts a tale reminiscent of classic space operas, filled with action and exploration.
In a world blending elements of the Wild West and Arabian Nights, two former revolutionaries, Raule and Gwynn, seek refuge in the decadent city of Ashamoil.
As they navigate this surreal urban landscape—Raule as a healer among the poor and Gwynn as a mercenary—they encounter bizarre characters and confront their own pasts. Bishop’s novel is a richly textured exploration of redemption, art, and the nature of reality.
Final Thought
There’s something thrilling about discovering a sci-fi book that isn’t everywhere. One that hasn’t been adapted for TV. One you can recommend and feel like you’ve uncovered a secret.
These seven books won’t be for everyone. But if you’re tired of the usual recommendations, they might be exactly what you need.
Have a favourite underrated sci-fi novel? Let us know—we’re always on the lookout.
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